Almost all shops in Madurai are expected to be closed on Friday with all the major trade associations announcing a shutdown in support of the ongoing State-wide protests for jallikattu.
The trade bodies that have decided to join the protests include Tamil Nadu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (TNCCI), Madurai District Traders and Manufacturers’ Associations’ Joint Action Committee (JAC), which includes around 30 associations, and Federation of Tamil Nadu Traders’ Associations (FTTA). S.K. Jeyaprakasam, president of Tamil Nadu Food Grains Merchants’ Association, which is part of the JAC, said 30 associations involved in a variety of businesses had decided to down their shutters. “Since thousands of shops are part of these associations, it will be a total shutdown in Madurai tomorrow,” he said. A statement issued by the TNCCI appealed to all the trade and industry bodies to join the bandh in support of the agitating youngsters. It further said jallikattu helped in the sustenance and development of rural economy and hence should not be just seen in cultural context but also in an economic perspective. The FTTA, in a statement, said its members would not only down their shutters but also take out a procession from Goripalayam to Tamukkam Ground to join the protesters. Meanwhile, the district administration said all the schools in Madurai would remain closed on Friday. An official press statement said all TASMAC shops would also remain closed on Friday as a precautionary measure to avoid any law and order problem.
